Dell wants a green world

In a press event today, Michael Dell urged the entire computer industry to adopt free recycling of computers. I think this is a fabulous idea and not only should all computer companies adopt it, so should us computer users. It's a great way to keep all that plastic, metal, and silicon from being dumped in landfills around the world.

What would be even more interesting, would be to have computer sales become more like auto sales. By that, I mean that Dell should be encouraging his recycling program by offering a "trade-in" when buying a new computer. You know that he is using the pieces and parts of the computers that he can to offer lower priced, reconditioned machines and printers. If you need proof of this, click on Dell Outlet and search for refurbished printers, monitors, and even systems.

There is a whole market for good machines that aren't necessarily the cutting edge because really, most of us read e-mail and surf some websites. We don't need the fastest and the coolest, but we buy them because we didn't know that we could get good "old" machines. Now you can.

Now, naysayers will carp about the fact that Dell is doing this for the publicity and to lower his production costs by reusing product. I say to you.....who cares? If he can help the environment and make some money doing that, God Bless him. While the ends does not always justify the means, where is the downside on this one?

By the way, he also announced that buyers will have the option of planting a tree for every laptop and desktop purchased. What a great way to help offset the CO2 generated by the electric company which will power your new purchase. Go for it!

If we had more forward thinkers like Michael Dell than hand-wringers like Al Gore, we would be able to eliminate global warming a lot faster. Thoughts anyone?